Guards injured in Tucumcari escape attempt

Two Quay County Detention Center officers were injured Sunday by an inmate attempting to escape, 10th Judicial District Attorney Tim Rose said.

Officers B.J. Angel and Anthonette Dabbs were hospitalized for treatment of their injuries and later released, said Don Rich, QCDC administrator.

Rich said at 12: 15 p.m., inmate Noel Webb, 31, attempted without success to escape by assaulting Angel as he entered Pod B where he'd been held. Rich said Webb then gained access to the jail's control room, where he assaulted Dabbs.

"Webb was able to enter the doorway of the control room but never gained full access to the area," Rich said.

Other detention officers were able to restrain Webb and place him in a cell, Rich said.

Rich said Webb has since been moved to another correctional facility.

Rose said the district attorney is investigating adn he expected charges to be filed against Webb for the attempt at escape.

Rich said Webb had been in QCDC since Nov. 7 on a no bond warrant, awaiting extradition to California on felony drug charges.

Webb was originally arrested along with Denise Cervantes,28, by New Mexico State Police following a 20-minute pursuit on Interstate 40.

State police said the pursuit was stopped due to the erratic and dangerous actions of Webb, who was driving head-on into oncoming traffi.

Officers later witnessed Webb and Cervantes running across a pasture toward a barn on Quay Road AI. The barn was surrounded and officers ordered the couple out at gunpoint.

Officers searched the vehicle and located a small amount of methamphetamine and documents linking the couple to the burglary of a business in Joseph City, Ariz.

Webb was charged with felony evading, possession of a controlled substance, tampering with evidence, burglary, criminal trespass, concealing Identification and five misdemeanor charges.

Cervantes was charged with conspiracy to evade, possession of a controlled substance, tampering with evidence, burglary of a dwelling and four misdemeanor charges

Rich said Angel and Dabbs are in good health and are awaiting medical clearance to return to work at the detention center.